Sabbath Afternoon - November 11, 2023

Scripture Reading for the Week:
Luke 10:25-37; 2 Timothy 3:16; James 2:17-22; Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:14; Micah 6:6-8. 

Thought for Meditation:
The Saviour's words, "Ye are the light of the world," point to the fact that He has committed to His followers a world-wide mission. In the days of Christ, selfishness and pride and prejudice had built strong and high the wall of partition between the appointed guardians of the sacred oracles and every other nation on the globe. But the Saviour had come to change all this. The words which the people were hearing from His lips were unlike anything to which they had ever listened from priest or rabbi. Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men from the narrow circle that their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field.  {MB 42.2} 


Memory Text:

“He answered, ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ’ ” (Luke 10:27). 


This week's SSLesson will examine how God reaches the world through His chosen servants and how they are being called to work in His vineyard. It includes different methods in various and diverse cultures and backgrounds.


Study Outline:

Sunday - November 12, 2023

The Question of Questions - How to Inherit Eternal Life

Luke 10:25;  James 4:14;  1 Corinthians 15:30-32.  

Monday - November 13, 2023

Jesus' Method and Response - The Answer is in the Word

Matthew 26:56; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Timothy 3:16; Luke 10:26; Psalms 119:105.

Tuesday - November 14, 2023

To Inherit Eternal Life - Love in Action 1

Luke 10:27-28; James 2:17-22, 15-16; Philippians 2:4.    

Wednesday - November 15, 2023

Loving Others as We Love Ourselves - Love in Action 2

Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27-28; Galatians 5:14; Micah 6:6-8; 1 John 4:20-21; Galatians 5:14;  Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13,    

Thursday - November 16, 2023

The Good Samaritan Story Today - And Who Should I Love

Luke 10:28, 29; Luke 10:30-37.  

Friday - November 17, 2023

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration


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Sunday - November 12, 2023

The Question of Questions - How to Inherit Eternal Life

Luke 10:25;  James 4:14;  1 Corinthians 15:30-32.  

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Master,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)


How to Inherit Eternal Life, the Young Ruler Asked.

The young man who asked this question was a ruler. He had great possessions and occupied a position of responsibility. He saw the love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to Him; he saw how tenderly He received them, and took them up in His arms, and his heart kindled with love for the Saviour. He felt a desire to be His disciple. He was so deeply moved that as Christ was going on His way, he ran after Him, and kneeling at His feet, asked with sincerity and earnestness the question so important to his soul and to the soul of every human being, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” {CSA 14.2}  

The young man who came to Jesus asked what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and enumerated several of the precepts of the law. The young man said, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20). The first four commandments enjoin upon man the duty of loving God supremely and the last six present the requirement of loving our neighbors as ourselves. How many are truly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly doing this? {OFC 241.2} 

This question, leads Jesus to give the Parable of the Householder, notice the last verse of chapter 19, and compare it with Matthew 20:16. What's the difference?

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Consider the Following

If it were not for the expression “to test him,” we would think that this expert in the law was a person who sincerely wanted Jesus to tell him how to obtain eternal life.

Jesus knew that his intentions were not good, however, he did not reproach him for anything, nor did he refuse to answer him. Always attentive to taking advantage of any opportunity for the mission, he took this opportunity to make a personal appeal.

Furthermore, the question was too important to leave unanswered: “By doing what will I inherit eternal life?”

Each one of us has the same desire for transcendence; the same need to live beyond this short life (Ecclesiastes. 3:11; James 4:14).


Monday - November 13, 2023

Jesus' Method and Response - The Answer is in the Word

Matthew 26:56; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Timothy 3:16; Luke 10:26; Psalms 119:105.

“He said to him: What is written in the law? How do you read?” (Luke 10:26)


What is Written in the Law? His Words

The parable of the good Samaritan was called forth by a question put to Christ by a doctor of the law. As the Saviour was teaching, "a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" The Pharisees had suggested this question to the lawyer in the hope that they might entrap Christ in His words, and they listened eagerly for His answer. But the Saviour entered into no controversy. He required the answer from the questioner himself. "What is written in the law?" He asked, "How readest thou?" The Jews still accused Jesus of lightly regarding the law given from Sinai, but He turned the question of salvation upon the keeping of God's commandments.  {COL 377.1}  

The Law is the Standard of Holiness

It is unsafe to trust to feelings or impressions; these are unreliable guides. God's law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to ask, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" the modern teachers of sanctification would answer, "Only believe that Jesus saves you." But when Christ was asked this question He said, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" And when the questioner replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbour as thyself," Jesus said, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live" (Luke 10:25-29).  {FW 52.3}  

True sanctification will be evidenced by a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God, by a careful improvement of every talent, by a circumspect conversation, by revealing in every act the meekness of Christ.  {FW 53.1}  


As it is Written!

It is written: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" Every time you put your hands to labor on the Sabbath day, you virtually deny your faith. The Holy Scriptures teach us that faith without works is dead, and that the testimony of one's life proclaims to the world whether or not he is true to the faith he professes. Your conduct lessens God's law in the estimation of your worldly friends. It says to them: "You may or may not obey the commandments. I believe that the law of God is, in a manner, binding upon men; but, after all, the Lord is not very particular as to a strict observance of its precepts, and an occasional transgression is not visited with severity on His part."  {4T 250.2}  


Consider the Following

At times, we may be approached with provocative questions (for example, “why do you say there is only one God, but you worship three people?”). Maybe we think that, like the expert in the law, their only purpose is to provoke, annoy, or expose us.

Unlike Jesus, we cannot know people's real intentions (John 2:25). Perhaps, without knowing it, we are facing a sincere seeker of truth. Therefore, we must imitate the method that Jesus used to answer difficult or malicious questions.

So, first of all, we must take our interlocutor to the Bible as the only authoritative source to know the truth (“What is written in the law?”).

Second, lead him into a personal Bible study (“How do you read?”). Don't settle for what we know or can tell you. It is important that we let the Word itself, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, direct us to the knowledge of the truth (Psalms. 119:105)


Tuesday - November 14, 2023

To Inherit Eternal Life - Love in Action 1

Luke 10:27-28; James 2:17-22, 15-16; Philippians 2:4.    

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:27-28)


Whosoever Will - have Peace with God and Inherit Eternal Life

The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. . . . While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” . . . . {CSA 37.4} 

That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. “Whosoever will” may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life. {CSA 37.5} 

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father."  {AA 256.1}  


God Rules Over All the Affairs of the Universe

We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. {CSA 27.7} 

Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. . . . {CSA 27.8} 


Love the Lord with All Thy Heart, Soul, and Mind

The Christian religion is practical. It does not incapacitate one for the faithful discharge of any of life's essential duties. When the lawyer asked Jesus, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus turned the question back upon himself, saying, "What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus said to him, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." Luke 10:25-28. It is not a religion of inaction that is here sketched, but one that requires the energetic use of all the mental and physical powers.  {FE 419.2}  


Consider the Following

The theory was good: “You answered well.” To have eternal life, we must love God and our neighbors.

But what about practice? Going from theory to practice is not always easy. But Jesus made it very clear: “DO this, and you will live .”

How can I show that I love God and my neighbor?

According to John, I show that I love God when I love my neighbor (1Jn. 4:20). So, love is demonstrated in the way I treat others (James 2:15-16).

The challenge is to do what we know is right. Just knowing about how to love is not enough. We have to put it into practice!


Wednesday - November 15, 2023

Loving Others as We Love Ourselves - Love in Action 2

Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27-28; Galatians 5:14; Micah 6:6-8; 1 John 4:20-21; Galatians 5:14;  Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13,  

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14)


The Basis of Creation, Redemption is the Basis of True Education

Love, the basis of creation and of redemption, is the basis of true education. This is made plain in the law that God has given as the guide of life. . . . To love Him, the infinite, the omniscient one, with the whole strength and mind and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being--the body, the mind, as well as the soul--the image of God is to be restored.  {RC 51.2}  


Your Neighbor, Whom You are to Love as You Love Yourself.

The term "neighbor" includes all who have need of the grace and patience that Christ has promised to supply. Those to whom God would have you minister may be unconverted, uncourteous, and uncouth. They may have disagreeable qualities. By these your kindly deeds may be unappreciated, and totally unrequited. But because of this, you must not forget that they are still your neighbors, whom you are to love as you love yourself. All need to pray much, and watch unto prayer, that their faith fail not. No one can keep the commandments of God who does not cherish love in his heart; for without love there is no true obedience. Supreme love to God is required, and when this is an abiding principle in the soul, our love to those around us will be seen in our deeds and words.  {ST, February 24, 1898 par. 11}  


The Whole Duty of Man - Two Principles (Law and the Prophets)

Do you love God supremely and your neighbor as yourself? This is the whole duty of man. On these two principles hang all the law and the prophets. If you fulfill them, light and joy and peace and gladness will come into your life. Show by your life your preparedness for the inheritance of the saints in light. In word, in spirit, in action, be a true representative of Christ. Then you will be rich for all eternity.  {21MR 279.1}  


The First Four and the Last Six Commandments (LOVE)

When the worship of God is the one devotion of your soul, you will love him supremely, and your neighbor as yourself. You have gone through years of selfishness and departure from God's ways. Has not your rebellion lasted long enough. By your influence the publishing house has been injured. You have transgressed a perfect, unchanging law. This law demands continuous, unswerving obedience. What record is written against your name? Have you kept the first four and the last six commandments? Have you loved God with a whole heart? Have you loved your neighbor as yourself?  {1888 1676.1} 


Consider the Following

In short, when I love my neighbor in a practical way I demonstrate that I love God and, according to Paul, I am fulfilling the Law (Gal . 5:14).

But this is not a new message. Jesus and the apostles are transmitting the echo of the message proclaimed by the prophets. A message of justice and equitable and loving treatment of our fellow human beings (especially the needy and helpless) ➔Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:16; Ezekiel 22:29; Hosea 10:12; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5.


Thursday - November 16, 2023

The Good Samaritan Story Today - And Who Should I Love

Luke 10:28, 29; Luke 10:30-37.  

“Who, then, of these three do you think was the neighbor of the one who fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:36)


Christ Demonstrates the Nature of True Religion

In the story of the good Samaritan, Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine goodness.  {DA 497.1}    

In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus gave a picture of Himself and His mission. Man had been deceived, bruised, robbed, and ruined by Satan, and left to perish; but the Saviour had compassion on our helpless condition. He left His glory, to come to our rescue. He found us ready to die, and He undertook our case. He healed our wounds. He covered us with His robe of righteousness. He opened to us a refuge of safety, and made complete provision for us at His own charges. He died to redeem us. Pointing to His own example, He says to His followers, "These things I command you, that ye love one another." "As I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 15:17; 13:34.  {DA 503.6} 


Lesson Needed to be Learned Today

The lesson is no less needed in the world today than when it fell from the lips of Jesus. Selfishness and cold formality have well-nigh extinguished the fire of love and dispelled the graces that should make fragrant the character. Many who profess His name have lost sight of the fact that Christians are to represent Christ. Unless there is practical self-sacrifice for the good of others, in the family circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, and wherever we may be, then whatever our profession we are not Christians.--The Desire of Ages, pp. 497, 504.  {WM 42.1}  


Line of Demarcation Between those who Love God and those who Disregard His Precepts

The light of the word carefully studied, the voice of conscience, the strivings of the Spirit, produce in the heart genuine love for Christ, who gave Himself a whole sacrifice to redeem the whole person, body, soul, and spirit. And love is manifested in obedience. The line of demarcation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep His commandments, and those who love Him not and disregard His precepts. {CCh 295.5} 


Consider the Following

Through a story that occurred between Jerusalem and Jericho, Jesus showed the meaning of loving your neighbor: being merciful to him and helping him in his need (Luke 10:30-36).

Confronted with his hypocrisy, the expert in the law had to reluctantly acknowledge that his neighbor was not the one he liked, but the one to whom he did good (Luke 10:37).

Our neighbor is not merely those who belong to the same church or faith as us, but everyone who needs our help.

Mercy and goodness are beyond all religious, social, cultural, ethnic, or any other kind of barrier.


Friday - November 17, 2023

Insights and Further Study

Who Is My Neighbor?--Among the Jews the question, "Who is my neighbor?" caused endless disputes. They had no doubt as to the heathen and the Samaritans. These were strangers and enemies. But where should the distinction be made among the people of their own nation, and among the different classes of society? Whom should the priest, the rabbi, and the elder, regard as neighbors? They spent their lives in the round of ceremonies to make themselves pure. Contact with the ignorant and careless multitude, they taught, would cause defilement that would require wearisome effort to remove. Were they to regard the "unclean" as neighbors?  {WM 42.2}  


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“To leave a suffering neighbor unrelieved is a breach of the law of God.... He who loves God will not only love his fellow men, but will regard with tender compassion the creatures which God has made. When the Spirit of God is in man it leads him to relieve rather than to create suffering.... We are to care for every case of suffering, and to look upon ourselves as God's agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability” E. G. W. (Sons and Daughters of God, February 15)